THE Burnham-on-Sea Railway Heritage Group have expressed their gratitude to local councils after they agreed to a road name change as part of the 50th anniversary of the closure of the Somerset & Dorset line into Burnham.

A stretch of Marine Drive in Burnham-on-Sea has had its name changed to Old Station Approach, with effect from Tuesday June 20, following on from the erection of the Burnham on Sea railway platform sign nearby.

These two actions have been made to help celebrate the town’s railway heritage.

A spokesperson for Burnham-on-Sea Railway Heritage Group said: “We are very grateful to the Town Projects Committee, the full Town Council, Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council for their agreement to a change of name for Marine Drive from its junction with Pier Street to the entrance of Burnham on Sea Holiday Village.”

The name of the remaining stretch of Marine Drive to its junction with Burnham Road and Highbridge Road is unchanged.

Town counillors agreed on the name earlier this year, after considering several options, including Station Drive and Station Road, before settlingon the new name Old Station Approach.

The Burnham and District Model Railway Club has also commissioned a limited edition of 142 private owner wagons (Westleigh Stone & Lime Co. Ltd. of Burlescombe) to support the project. 

If you are interested in purchasing one of the wagons they are available for £12.50 from Dave Bysouth, 26 Blackmoor Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 8EL.

Call 01823 353645 or email club.wagons@yahoo.co.uk for more information.